Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg will have to personally testify during one of the most important trials in the United States in recent memory. The trial is a landmark case that asks how social media harms young people. This trial marks another key development in the long legal war being waged against social media companies. These companies are rightfully in hot water for creating addictive technologies even as they understood the potential harm to mental health associated with their use.
In response to two prior delays, the Los Angeles County Superior Court has set the trial date for January. Judge Carolyn Kuhl rejected arguments from Meta that an in-person appearance by Zuckerberg was not needed, so he must testify in person. In addition to Zuckerberg, both Snap CEO Evan Spiegel and Adam Mosseri, who directs Instagram, will be subpoenaed to testify.
The trial comes on the heels of a growing tsunami of litigation. This new wave combines hundreds of similar claims filed by various parents and school districts. These lawsuits accuse social media companies of failing to implement effective parental controls and safety measures while simultaneously engaging users through notifications for likes and other interactions, which critics argue keeps young people engaged longer than is healthy.
In her ruling, Judge Kuhl emphasized that Zuckerberg’s “knowledge of harms, and failure to take available steps to avoid such harms” could play a crucial role in demonstrating negligence. This claim highlights just how serious this matter is when it comes to the mental health of young users.
Zuckerberg’s company has recently updated its platform by introducing a default setting that filters content based on criteria similar to movie ratings. Even with these changes, many have raised the question of whether they go far enough to address the problematic practices discussed in court.
Under a law enacted in the 1990s, Meta Platforms enjoys immunity from liability concerning what users post on its services. As the continuing litigation can show, we must hold the company accountable to how it designs and operates its platforms.
Instagram has made moves in the past year to improve safety for young users online. To address this needs directly, they began rolling out special “teen accounts”.
Beasley Allen, one of the leading firms in this litigation, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating, “We are eager for trial to force these companies and their executives to answer for the harms they’ve caused to countless children.”
The defense has countered these claims. And a representative from Kirkland & Ellis, Snap’s outside counsel, was just as unequivocal. They argued that the decision had zero bearing on the accuracy of the allegations made about their client’s business practices.
Zuckerberg has previously stated that “the existing body of scientific work has not shown a causal link between using social media and young people having worse mental health.” This proclamation comes amidst a vocal and contentious concern about social media’s contributions to the youth crisis.
As this historic trial nears its start, it has the potential to shift everything. …that social media companies should be held accountable on the effects of their business practices on the mental health of young users. The results would establish important precedents for future federal regulations and national standards regarding user safety and corporate accountability.